A SAMPLING OF FAVORITE PICTURE
BOOKS
These books go in and out of print faster
than I can annotate them and change the prices when they go up. Some are out of
print but I may still have a copy. Please check availability and prices before
sending in an order. It's better to email your list with the title and catalog
number if any, and the listed price, if any. Then I can check for the books and
send you your postage and payment options. You can still call with payment
information after I've answered your email. Or put your phone number and time
zone in the email and indicate the best time to call you back.
Click on the picture book subjects that interest you: animal stories; poetry and verse, vehicles or machines; concept books;
picture books related to math; gardening and plants; folk and fairy tales;
including myths; foods; relationships
with family and friends; multicultural stories; science and nature;
stories related to history, and holidays or
special events..
To enlarge cover art images framed in blue, just click on
them.
ANIMAL STORIES
Blaze
Series, written and illustrated by C. W. Anderson.
 Sensitive
black/white/gray drawings encourage children to read the text, which is at chapter book
level. Titles include Billy and Blaze ($4.49-D), Blaze
and the Gray Spotted Pony ($5.39-D), Blaze and the Forest Fire
($5.39-D), Blaze and the Lost Quarry ($4.49-D), Blaze
and the Mountain Lion ($4.49-D), Blaze and the
Thunderbolt
($4.49-D), Blaze Finds the Trail ($4.49-D), and Blaze
Shows the Way ($4.49-D). Order by title.
Click on images to enlarge. Top image is cover art. Gray image is typical
of inside illustrations.
 CAPYBOPPY, written and illustrated by Bill Pete:
The true story of how Bill Pete's college-age son Bill, who loved exotic animals, bought a
pet capybara, to be raised and cared for by the Peet family. For the uninitiated, the
capybara is the world's largest rodent, and can grow into something resembling a 200-pound
guinea pig. In his humorous style and personality-packed black-and-white drawings, Bill
Pete brings the antics and interactions of the rapidly-growing rodent with the family and
its three bewildered cats vividly to life. This book will be enjoyed by anyone over 7, and
a 9-year-old can probably handle the reading alone. However, it's a great book for the
family to enjoy aloud together. It is 62 pages long, paperback, and costs
BTH-2229. $10.50-D.
We also
carry Bill Peet's other wonderful picture books including: THE CABOOSE WHO GOT
LOOSE, 8.95;
 CHESTER THE WORDLY PIG,
BTH-2301, $8.06-D; COWARDLY
CLYDE, $8.06-D; ELI,
$8.06-D; ELLA, $8.06-D;CYRUS THE UNSINKABLE SEA SERPENT ,
BTH-2302, $8.06; FAREWELL TO SHADY GLADE, $8.06-D; KERMIT
THE HERMIT, $8.06-D; PAMELA CAMEL, $7.16-D; RANDY'S DANDY
LIONS, $8.06-D; and SMOKEY, $8.06-D. If you'd like to know more about
the life of this remarkable children's author, who did the artwork for Disney's movie
version of JUNGLE BOOK, he wrote a marvelous autobiography your family will enjoy called
(what else but) BILL PEET: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY, $13.50-D in paper.
 If your preschool children like ducks, some of the most appealing ones have been drawn by
Nancy Tafuri in brightly colored book entitled HAVE
YOU SEEN MY DUCKLING? The story, whose few words are in giant print, is told
mostly by the large, bold pictures of the affectionate mother duck trying to find the one
of her eight ducklings who has wandered away from the nest. Your child will be able to
spot the missing duckling in every picture, and will also be introduced to the other
creatures who live in the pond. The story ends happily with all eight ducklings falling
asleep in their nest as dusk falls. In paper, this book is a real bargain at only 3.95. We
also carry include Robert McCloskey's Caldecott award book MAKE WAY FOR DUCKLINGS. In it a pair of
ducks searches Boston for just the right place to raise a family of ducklings. Children
enjoy this book now just as much as I did when I was a child. It is 6.29-D in paper.
Featured in the Five in a Row Unit
Study Curriculum. Cat.# BTH-1234.
 THE STORY ABOUT PING, about a Chinese duck who
learns the value of obedience, is written by Marjorie Flack and illustrated by
Kurt Wiese.
For children 3-8, and featured in the Five in a Row Unit
Study Curriculum. BTH-1236. It is $5.39-D in
paper.
 If your children like horses better
than ducks, try FRITZ AND THE BEAUTIFUL
HORSES, by Jan Brett. For ages 4-8. Ugly horses were not allowed inside the
walled city, famous for its beautiful horses. Fritz, a not-so-good-looking gentle and
hard-working pony, was one of those who was excluded. More than anything he wanted to be
ridden by a child. One day the bridge into the walled city breaks, and Fritz gets to
realize his dream and become a hero all at once. Cat. BTH-2635. $5.36-D Click on
image to enlarge it.
 COUNTING ON CALICO,
written and illustrated by Phyllis Tildes. As a child counts the spots on Calico the cat,
the ears on her seven kittens, etc., he or she will learn much about cats and will
delight, with cat lovers of all ages, in the adorable illustrations. In a sequel,  CALICO
PICKS A PUPPY, young readers watch Calico search among over 30 breeds of dogs
to find a perfect puppy companion. 6.26-D each in paper.
 CAPS FOR SALE, written and illustrated by
Esphyr Slobodkina. A hat peddler learns the hard way not to sleep with a head full of caps
under a tree full of monkeys. Your children will delight in watching him try to retrieve
his caps from his mischievous imitators. Paper, $5.39-D. Also available in Spanish
for $6.26-D Featured in the Before Five in a Row Curriculum.
 ONE LITTLE KITTEN by
Tana Hoban. This very easy to read book has type this size:
"A new day. It's time to
play"
The rhyming story is also very simple, and
appropriate for even toddlers -- especially those like kitties. This little
kitten explores its surroundings, and each new discovery and adventure is
photographed almost life size in black and white. There are some adorable
pictures here for cat-lovers of all ages, so even though it's for the preschool
set, there's no need to limit it to that. Mor-115063. 3.59-D
Over the Steamy
Swamp, by Paul Geraghty.
Just how much havoc can one mosquito flying over a swamp cause? It depends
upon who wants to eat that mosquito . This particular mosquito is being watched
by a greedy dragonfly, who is too interested to notice that he, in turn, is
being watched by a famished frog, and so on up the food chain to the peckish
fish, the heron, the starving snake, the craving crocodile, the hostile hunter,
and the ravenous lion. Paul Geraghty's text is simple and reminiscent o "The
House that Jack Built" in its repetitive style. But it's his pictures that make
the book so funny. These animals have facial expressions you won't ever forget
-- especially when the book reaches its climax. After the lion's great, big,
ravenous nose is bitten by the mosquito, to say he is surprised and upset is an
understatement. And suddenly, everyone in the food chain hears the lion's yowl
and looks backwards and sees what's been about to eat him. This book should be
in every young reader's hands. Not only is the art work bold and expressive, but
the text will teach some great adjectives, adverbs, and verbs. And, of course,
it can also be used to illustrate what a food chain is. When my customers see
this book, they buy it.
Besides showing the
food chain in action, this book will make both parents and children laugh with its
humorous illustrations of the animals as they discover who has been lurking behind them,
ready to eat them, even as they have been drooling over their own anticipated
lunch. Not to
worry, though. No one gets eaten in the end, but the lion gets a very sore nose and the
hungry mosquito who starts everything in motion is finally satisfied. Size is 9"
x 10.25." BTH-2614. $6.30-D.
 PAPA
PICCOLO by Carol Talley. Illustrated by Itoko Maeno. Piccolo is a carefree
tomcat who lives in the narrow streets and alleys of Venice, Italy. He leads an
independent life and is respected by the other cats in his territory. But one night he
discovers something that threatens his carefree life and independence and starts him on a
new adventure -- the adoption of two kittens who need a home and a mentor. In turn, they
help him to discover his own tender heart. The gorgeous illustrations will appeal to cat
lovers and children will also discover the world along the streets and canals of Venice
from a cat's viewpoint. Hardcover, large format. BTH-1184. $15.25-D Featured in the Five in a Row Unit
Study Curriculum.
PINKERTON, BEHAVE!
Pinkerton the dog doesn't do very well in obedience school, but his young owner
understands his disobedience well enough to get around it when it's time to foil a
burglar. Steven Kellogg once again brings humor to an unlikely story with his zany
illustrations. paper, 6.99
 ROSIE'S WALK. With only 32 giant
print words, Pat Hutchins humorously portrays a hen, unaware of the fox who follows her,
foiling his attempts to catch her because of the obstacle course she's chosen for her
walk. A good book for teaching prepositions. Click image to enlarge it.
$4.45-D, paper.
 SIX-DINNER SID by Inga
Moore. Sid is one smart cat. He's got six different families who think they own
him -- all on the same block. He got a different dinner from each one every day
and no one got wise to Sid's duplicity because none of the neighbors ever talked
to each other. All that changed, however, when Sid caught a nasty cough, and all
six "owners" took Sid to the smae vet, where he was given six different doses of
medicine. After seeing the came cat six times in a day, he got suspicious,
checked his address book and called all of Sid's owners. They finally did talk
to each other, and they decided Sid would only get one dinner a day from then
on. But Sid was a six-dinner cat. And he found a way to solve his problem
without anyone being unhappy. No cat lover should miss this book. The pictures
are wonderful! BTH-2406. $6.39-D
 Some Smug Slug, by Pamela Edwards.
Illustrated by Henry Cole. This
paperback book is one of my favorites. Young children will enjoy
the alliterative "S" sounds in this book as it is read to them, and everyone
will enjoy the great illustrations of animals and creepie crawlies by Henry Cole. The
slug, who is full of personality, is determined to climb a slippery slope. He surmounts
each obstacle to finally reach the top, while other creatures look on with sympathy or
amusement or even sarcasm, because they already know what the reader doesn't discover
until the end. (By the way, if you become fond of the slug, you won't like the ending.)
For ages 4-9. 32 pages. BTH-2615. $5.36-D
 The Story of Ferdinand
by Munro Leaf. Drawings by Robert Lawson. Penguin, 1977. Reprint. Unpaginated.
This is the classic story of the peaceful little bull who would rather sit and
smell the flowers than fight. But one day, when some men in funny hats were
searching for a very fierce bull to fight in the bull fights in Madrid,
Ferdinand accidentally sat on a clover blossom with a bee in it. And I'll leave
the rest to your imagination. Poor Ferdinand! And poor spectators of the big
Madrid bull fights. BTH-1954. $5.39-D featured in the Five in a Row Unit
Study Curriculum.
 The Tale of Peter Rabbit
by Beatix Potter. F. Warne and Co., 2002. Hardcover, small format. This is a
reprint of the original 1902 edition with reset text and new reproductions of
Potter's illustrations. This classic story of Peter Rabbit's misadventures in
Mr. McGregor's garden and its consequences has become part of America's cultural
heritage. 69 pages. Size is approximately 4" x 6." BTH-1953. $6.26-D.
featured in the Five in a Row Unit
Study Curriculum.
 Three
Names by Patricia Maclachlan. Pictures by Alexander Pertzoff.
HarperTrophy, 1991. A boy's grandfather reminisces about growing up on the
prairie with his beloved dog, Three Names. For ages 5-9. BTH-1955. $5.39-D
featured in the Five in a Row Unit
Study Curriculum.
 THY FRIEND, OBADIAH, by B. Turkle. The story of a young Quaker boy who is
befriended by a sea gull. Ages 4-8, paper, BTH-2617. $5.39-D.
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PICTURE BOOKS THAT FOCUS ON VEHICLES AND MACHINES
 If your preschool or primary child is fascinated by truck, trains, or planes, you must not
miss Diane Siebert's poems. TRUCK SONG,
BTH-2304, $6.26-D,
illustrated by Bryon Barton, captures the mood of a trucker driving his rig across our
sprawling country. The poetic language makes one hear the rhythm of the wheels and feel
the power of being behind the wheel. A related book is SAM
GOES TRUCKING, 5.95, by Henry Horenstein. Sam's father is a trucker. In this
story, young Sam joins his father in his Mack R-600 truck for a typical day's work. Trust
me. If you've got a little boy who loves big rigs, he'll eat this book up. Almost every
page is a full-color photo of trucks and trucking activities, with Sam right in the middle
of the action. This is also a great book for those studying transportation. (Not
currently available.)
I like to sell these two books together, because they will both appeal to young children
who like trucks, but one evokes a mood, and the other tells a story about the life of a
trucker.
 Train people will enjoy TRAIN SONG, by
Diane Siebert, illustrated by Mike Wimmer, which revels in the sights, sounds, and
movements of trains in a bygone era. Like Siebert's other transportation poems, this one
will give the reader the feel of the subject and convey the excitement train riders feel
as the wheels race along the rails. BTH-2305. $7.19-D
PLANE SONG, 6.26-D, illustrated by Vincent Nasa,
is a lyrical tribute to all kinds of planes. It captures the feel of flying over the earth
in a jumbo jet, a bomber, a fire-fighting plane, sky-writer, and many others. The bold
pictures will appeal to children of all ages. Reading Siebert's books aloud is a wonderful
way to introduce poetry not only to a preschool child, but also to older boys who think
they don't like poetry.
COUNTRY CROSSING, by Jim Aylesworth.
The setting is a country railroad crossing on a peaceful, summer, moon-lit
night. A man and a boy in an old jalopy disturb the quiet mood with the motor
sounds as they approach. Then the crossing bell begins to ring and the red
warning lights flash as the car stops and the freight train rumbles through out
of the darkness, totally changing the mood. As the train passes and slips back
into the night, and the car crosses and fades away, the country crossing regains
its peace as the crickets chirp and the owls hoot again. Children will love the
repetition of the car and train sounds, and Ted Rand's illustrations enhance the
overall mood of the book. For children 3-8. Out of print and no longer available
new.
 FLIGHT by Robert Burleigh. Come along with Charles
Lindbergh on his historic first flight across the Atlantic Ocean in his famous
"Spirit of St. Louis." Mike Wimmer's beautiful color illustrations of the little
plane in the ground and in the sky combine with the text to let us see and feel a little
of what Lindbergh must have experienced. For ages 5 and up. 5.36-D in paper.
 EMERGENCY! Gail Gibbons uses her bright, bold
illustrations to show how emergency vehicles and personnel respond and what they do when
they are called upon. Paper, 6.26-D. See other books by Gail Gibbons.
 THE AIRPLANE ALPHABET BOOK, by
Jerry Pallotta and Fred Stillwell, illustrated by Rob Bolster. This hot-off-the-press
hardcover book features planes ranging from the sleek Invader to the Piper Cub. This book
aimed at those 3-8 traces the history of flight from the first flight of the Wright Flyer
in 1903 to the age of jets. The stunning illustrations will make readers feel they are
soaring through the sky with the pilots.. 15.95, HC. 6.26-D, paper.
 The
Glorious Flight:
Across the Channel with
Louis Bléiot,
by Alice and Martin Provensen. It is in 1901 in Cambrai, France, when
Louis Bléiot sees his first airship. And he makes up his mind then and
there that he, too, will build a flying machine. This is the story of how he not
only does it, but also succeeds in being the first to fly across the
English Channel in 1909. BTH-1267. $6.29-D. Featured in the Five in a Row Unit
Study Curriculum.
LAUNCH DAY, by Peter Campbell. Gives children
ages 6-10 a close-up look at the preparations for an actual shuttle launch and lets them
ride along as NASA astronauts rocket into orbit. Striking illustrations and clear, simple
text explain every step in the launch sequence.Paper, 7.15-D.
THE LITTLE ENGINE THAT COULD.
This is the original classic hardcover edition of the book about the little locomotive who
succeeded in pulling the circus train up a big hill because he "thought he
could" and kept trying. For all ages. 6.36-D.
 The
Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge by Hildegarde H.
Swift and Lynn Ward. Harcourt, Brace and Co., 1970. Once a little
lighthouse was built on a sharp point on the shore of the Hudson River. It was
round, fat, red, jolly and PROUD. Its job was to protect all the boats on the
Hudson River from danger. But one day some men started building a huge bridge
(the George Washington Bridge, which opened in 1932). And the little lighthouse
was sad, because it felt unneeded. No one came to light its light. The bridge
had a light on top. in the story the light goes back on and the little
lighthouse and great gray bridge work together. In reality, a fund is started
to restore it as part of the Fort Washington Park. BTH-2630. $7.20-D
 Mike
Mulligan and His Steam Shovel by Virginia Lee Burton. Houghton
Mifflin Co., ©1939.
When Mary Anne, a steam shovel, becomes obsolete with the advent of gas and
diesel-motored competition, Mike, her faithful Irish operator, would not desert
her. Since they were no longer wanted in the cities, Mike and Mary Anne moved to
the country, where they once again had an opportunity to prove their usefulness
when Mike tells the mayor of Popperville Mary Anne can dig the cellar of the new
town hall in just one day. The only problem was that when Mary Anne and Mike
finished, they had not left themselves a way to get out. A small boy comes up
with the perfect solution for everyone. 44 pages. Featured in the Five in a Row Unit
Study Curriculum. Hardcover, BTH-1956, $14.40-D. Paper, BTH-1269. $6.29-D
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FOLK AND FAIRY TALES AND
MYTHS
 ANDY AND THE
LION: A Tale of Kindness Remembered and the Power of Gratitude by
James Daugherty. Penguin Puffin. 1989. A Caldecott Honor Book. Unpaginated. This
is a modern variation of Androcles and the Lion -- quite a variation. I won't
tell you the story, but I will tell you that the author's illustrations are
imaginative and humorous and shouldn't be missed. BTH-1971 $5.39-D
CHANTICLEER AND THE FOX, by
Chaucer, illustrated by B. Clooney: A fable of the vain crow and the shrewd fox. The
language is rich and the pictures sparkle with color and the details of medieval life.
5.36-D, paper.
 CHICKEN LITTLE, retold and illustrated by
Steven Kellogg.
'Poultry coming,' announced Foxy Loxy, as he spotted Chicken Little skipping down the
road. 'That little featherhead will make a tasty chicken-salad sandwich,' he
chuckled." Thus begins this modernized version of the old story that has Foxy Loxy
driving a poultry truck and Henny Penny wanting to call the police when a piece of the sky
falls on her head. After he is tried, Foxy Loxy is sentenced to prison on a diet of
green-bean gruel and weed juice for his attempt to kidnap and eat the six birds he had
tricked into his truck by impersonating a police officer. Kellogg's zany illustrations add
to the humor. 4.45-D, paper.
 THE COWBOY AND THE
BLACK-EYED PEA, by Tony Johnston, illustrated by Warren Ludwig. In this
parody of "The Princess and the Pea", the beautiful but determined Farathee Well
wants to be sure that the man she marries is a real cowboy -- not some pretender who just
wants her ranch. So she tests each suitor by slipping a black-eyed pea under his saddle.
You can guess the rest. Though this book is intended for children from 4-8, the
young-at-heart of all ages will enjoy it. Paper, 4.45-D.
 JOURNEY CAKE, HO! Johnny, a bound-out boy
to a poor old couple on a ramshackle farm, is sent away, in spite of hard work, when hard
times come and the couple can't afford to feed him anymore. He leaves with only his few
personal belongings and a journey cake the sad old woman has baked for him. In this crazy
tale reminiscent of "The Gingerbread Boy," it is the journey cake which saves
the situation for everyone and reunites the makeshift "family." Robert
McCloskey's pictures add just the right touch of humor to Ruth Sawyer's highly unlikely
tale. Paper, Out of print. May have one left. Ages 3-8. Also check
tomfolio.com
 THE SABBATH LION. This Jewish folktale by
Howard Schwartz and Barbara Rush is beautifully illustrated by Stephen Fieser. Young Yosef
must make a long journey to claim an inheritance for his family. His mother arranges for
him to travel with a caravan -- on the condition that the caravan leader stop for the
Sabbath. But once out in the desert, the cruel-hearted leader breaks his promise. Yosef
fears that he will die if he leaves the caravan, but his devotion prevents him from going
on with the group So he stays alone and prays. And then something wonderful happens....
10.00, paper. Out of print.
TIKKI TIKKI TEMBO, written by A. Mosel
and illustrated by B. Lent. An old Chinese folktale of what happens when a Chinese boy
with a very long name falls into a well and his younger brother attempts to get help. The
trouble is that he must always pronounce his firstborn brother's name completely and
reverently, and this presents a problem when time is short. Paper, $6.26-D.
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PICTURE BOOKS THAT FOCUS ON FOODS
 EATING
THE ALPHABET:
Fruits and Vegetables from A to Z
by Lois Ehlert. This alphabet book features bold colorful paintings of selected
fruits, nuts and vegetables beginning with each letter of the alphabet. Each is
labeled. Some will be familiar to the small children the book is designed for,
and some will be new. For example, the letter "c" shows us currant, cucumber,
corn, celery, cabbage, cherry, carrot, and cauliflower, many of which children
will recognize. But "j" pictures jalapeño and jicama, and "k" portrays kumquat,
kiwifruit, and kohlrabi. Everything edible that grows may not be here, but
children will see a wide variety represented -- probably more than most will eat
during their
lives. I personally have not yet tried gooseberries,
huckleberries,
jalapeño (too hot for me), okra, star fruit,
ugli fruit, vegetable marrow, watercress, and xigua.
At the end is a
glossary for older readers describing the fruits and vegetables and their
origins. BTH-2655. $6.30-D
 EVERYBODY BAKES
BREAD, a sequel to EVERYBODY COOKS RICE written by Norah Dooley and illustrated
by Peter Thorton. Young Carrie's mother sends her to search the neighborhood for
a three-handled rolling pin. This time while on her quest, Carrie discovers that
her neighbors are each making a unique bread. Recipes for Coconut Bread,
Chapatis, Corn Bread, Pocket Bread, Challah, Pupusas, and Italian Bread are
included in case you'd like to try the breads yourself. BTH-2897. $6.26-D
 EVERYBODY COOKS RICE, written by Norah
Dooley and illustrated by Peter Thorton. Carrie searches her neighborhood for
her brother, who is late for dinner. She discovers that although each family is
from a different country, everyone is making a rice dish at dinnertime. Recipes
for plain rice, Black-Eyed Peas and Rice, Turmeric Rice with Pigeon Peas Nuoc
Cham, Fried Rice, Biryani, Tofu with Vegetables, Rice and Beans, and Risi e Bisi
are included. BTH-2898. $6.26-D
 EVERYBODY
SERVES SOUP written by Norah Dooley and illustrated by Peter Thorton. It's right
before Christmas and it's snowing. Carrie is trying to earn money shoveling snow
to buy her mother a Christmas present. She doesn't make much money because she
helps a lot of people in the neighborhood who are already shoveling for their
families. But each family invites Carrie in for soup. And all those delicious
soups from the homes in her multicultural neighborhood give Carrie a great idea
for her mother's present. The book include recipes for the following soups, in
case you want to make them: Puerto Rican Chuletón, Chicken Soup with Lemon (Avgolemono),
Southern Corn Chowder, Italian Lentil Soup, Miso Shiru, Beet and Cabbage Soup,
and Barbados Oxtail Soup. BTH-2899. $6.26-D
 How
to Make Apple PIE AND SEE THE WORLD by Marjorie Priceman. A young
lady is reading her recipe for making apple pie. We are told it is very easy.
Just go to the store and buy the ingredients, bake, and serve. But, we are
asked, what do we do if the store is closed? and we see the author send his
young lady all over the world to get the ingredients --first to Italy to get
'superb semolina wheat,' then to France for the freshest eggs, on to Sri Lanka
for the finest cinnamon, and so on, until all the ingredients have been
assembled. But that's the easy part. Next that wheat must be milled into flour,
the kurundu bark into cinnamon, the French chicken persuaded to lay an egg, and
so on until the ingredients are ready to use. When the pie is baked and cooling,
our busy young lady invites her friends over to share it.
Readers will enjoy the whimsical
illustrations and the unlikeliness of the story, but they will learn the
origins of some of the foods they have in the house. And they will find a map
with a key to where the ingredients mentioned in the story were obtained. And,
of course, at the end of the book is a genuine recipe for apple pie. And on the
inside back cover you will find instructions for having an apple tasting party.
This book is used in the Five in a Row Curriculum which we highly recommend for
children ages 5-8. BTH-1262. Out of print. May come back at a later date. Featured in the Five in a Row Unit
Study Curriculum.
 GROWING VEGETABLE SOUP, by Lois Ehlert. This
book's giant print, bright, bold, colorful illustrations, and simple sentences make it the
perfect introduction to gardening for a young child. Every noun from shovel to squash
blossom to sun is labeled to help increase vocabulary. The orderly progression of actions
from getting the tools laid out to eating the soup lays the foundations for sequencing
exercises. The recipe for the soup is on the back cover for Mom. Great tie-in with units
on where foods come from. Paper, 5.40-D, ages 3-8.
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PICTURE BOOKS THAT FOCUS ON RELATIONSHIPS
WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS
 CAN I HELP? by Marilyn Janovitz. The
pastel pictures illustrate the warm relationship between the father and the little one who
wants to help. Click on image to see the detail that makes this
book special. Cat. #155858-904X. $5.36-D
 Elbert's Bad Word by
Audrey Wood. Illustrated by Audrey and Don Wood. Harcourt, Brace, 1996. This
book deals with the effect on a small child who hears a bad word. Instead of
being forgotten it lurks beneath the surface of his mind until it finally comes
out his mouth. This book shows how a bad word overheard at a mostly adult garden
party creeps inside the mind of a small boy, and later, to everyone's horror,
escapes from his mouth when a mallet lands on his big toe later during that same
party. And it shows how the chastened boy finds a solution to make sure the bad
word has no more power over him. BTH-2616. $5.50-D Click on image to enlarge it.
THE GROUCHY LADYBUG,
by Eric Carle. Progressing through a series of brilliantly colored die-cut pages, a
bad-tempered braggart becomes a nicer, happier, better-behaved bug. Paper, 6.26-D.
 I LIKE TO BE LITTLE. This is my
favorite by Charlotte Zolotow! A little girl describes all the things she can enjoy that
grown-ups don't do anymore -- skip when they're glad, sit under the dining room table and
make it a house, go barefoot in the summertime, etc. Unlike many of today's generation,
this little girl is in no hurry to grow up. Illustrated in full color by Erik Blegvad.
Paper, 5.36-D
 I'LL ALWAYS LOVE YOU, by H. Wilhelm.
In this first person narrative, a little boy tells the story of his friendship with his
dog Elfie, who has just died. He is comforted by the fact that he had told Elfie every
night that he loved her. Paper, 5.39-D. Ages 3-8.
 IRA SLEEPS OVER, by Bernard Waber. The
biggest issue for Ira when packing for his first sleep-over at a friend's house is whether
to take his teddy bear. paper, 5.36-D.
THE LISTENING WALK, by Paul Showers. A
father and a child take a walk together and listen to the sounds around them. Illustrated
in full color by Aliki. Paper, 5.36-D.
 Love
You Forever by Robert Munsch, Firefly Books, 2003. This has almost
become a classic gift book, since all ages can relate to it, from children to
grandmothers. AS a mother holds her new baby boy, she sings to him: "I'll love
you forever, I'll like you for always, As long as I'm living my baby you'll be."
For all the phases of her boy's life
you will see her singing the song, whenever he is asleep. When he grows up and
moves away, she sometimes even sneaks over and rocks him and sings the song to
him. The mother grows older and older, and one day calls her son to come and see
her because she was old and sick. And he went to her and picked her up and
rocked her and sang his own version of the song to her, ending with "As long as
I'm living my Mommy you'll be." And you know his Mommy is no longer alive. And
you'll probably cry as he stands at the top of the stairs for a long time before
going down. And then he goes down to his baby daughter's room, picks her up and
rocks her, and sings the song to her. And carries on the expression of love to
the next generation. This is a great gift for mothers and grandmothers.
BTH-2205. $4.46-D
 MIRETTE ON THE HIGH WIRE by
Emily Arnold McCully. A Putnam PaperStar book, 1992. The story of a young girl's
desire to learn to walk a wire and her regard for her teacher -- the retired
great Bellini, who had fear in his heart. Mirette helps him conquer his fear so
they can walk the wire together. A Caldecott
Medal Book. Featured in the Five in a Row Unit
Study Curriculum. BTH-1973 $5.39
MR. RABBIT AND THE LOVELY PRESENT,
by Charlotte Zolotow. Mr. Rabbit helps a little girl find a lovely present for her
mother's birthday. Paper, 5.36-D.
NANA UPSTAIRS, NANA DOWNSTAIRS,
by Tomie dePaola. A touching story about the warm relationship a young boy has with his
grandmother and feeble 94-year-old great grandmother. During his boyhood, but years apart,
he has to deal with the death of each. Paper, 5.39-D.
 Night of the Moonjellies by
Mark Shasha. Hardcover with dustjacket. After a hard day's work at his Gram's
seaside diner in the 1950's, his Gram takes Mark on a special boat ride to see a
spectacular sight -- a sea shimmering with luminescent moonjellies. Based on the
author's memory of a true life episode of his childhood. Illustrated with
colorful paintings that depict the beach life and the work of the restaurant, as
well as the sea of moonjellies. BTH-1272. $16.16-D. Featured in the Five in a Row Unit
Study Curriculum.
 THE OXCART MAN, by D. Hall.
For ages 3-8. A man and his
family work together all year to grow and process flax and wool into clothing, and to make
candles and maple syrup for market. Then the father loads up the cart he has made, and
hitches up the ox he has raised, and travels a long distance to Portsmouth Market, where
he sells everything, buys the few things his family needs to prepare for another year, and
the cycle repeats. Barbara Cooney's folk art paintings add just the right touch to this
tale of the continuity of farm life. BTH-2618. 5.39-D.
 THE QUILT STORY, by Tomi de Paola. Abigail
loved the quilt her mother made for her. She wrapped herself in it, played with it, and
slept under it. When her pioneering family moves west, only the quilt remains familiar.
When the quilt has become very old, very loved, it is put in the attic where it is loved
by many creatures before a little girl finds it and brings it down for her mother to
repair to be loved by another generation. A heart-warming story.
BTH-2636. $5.36-D in paper.
 The Rag Coat
by Lauren Mills. Minna wants more than anything to go to school, but she is poor
and her mama needs her help at home. And besides, she knows if she went to
school she would have to stop when it got cold, because she had no coat. She
didn't want to have to start and then drop out.
Her papa was a miner who got sick
and had to stay home. He encouraged Minna to go to school and said he'd make it
happen. But then he died in the summer. Though her mother said she could go to
school in the fall, she still didn't have a coat. When the women who came over
to her her mother quilt found out that Minna wasn't in school because she didn't
have a coat, they decided to give some of their quilting time to making her a
quilted coat with their scraps. The result was a coat of many colors, which she
thought was beautiful, like Joseph's. And it was also a coat of many stories,
since each piece had a one time belonged to one of her school mates or family
members. She could hardly wait to wear her new coat to school, and it was
finished in time for sharing day.
But before Minna even got to school,
the teasing started. Her classmates made her feel so bad she ran away into the
woods and sat on an old log, to angry even to cry, until she thought of her Pa.
Then she cried hard. And then it seemed she could hear her papa telling her
again: 'Minna, people only need people, and nothing else. Don't you forget
that.'
She decided to go back to school and
face her class, surprising everyone, since the teacher had been told Minna had
gone home sick. One student told the truth about how they had driven Minna home,
teasing her about her old coat. Then Minna told them it was a new coat, full of
stories about them all, and she began to tell them. Each child remembered the
when the piece of the coat that came from his home had been very special to him.
And Minna now had friends to go with her new 'rag' coat.
BTH-1266. $15.29-D. Featured in the Five in a Row Unit
Study Curriculum.
 SAM, BANGS, AND MOONSHINE, by E.
Ness. When Sam, a fisherman's daughter who daydreams a lot, interacts with people, she's
not too fussy about whether what she tells them is real or make-believe. One day Sam sends
her devoted little friend Thomas to Blue Rock, far out in the harbor, and a sudden storm
brings near disaster to Thomas and Sam's cat Bangs. It is only then that Sam repentantly
recognizes that it's important to draw a line between fantasy and reality. For ages 3-8.
BTH-2297. $5.36-D, paper.
 THE SCAREBIRD, written by Sid Fleischman and
illustrated by Peter Sis. Lonesome John lives on a farm deep in the country. He is so
lonesome that he grows attached to his scarecrow -- his only company. Then a homeless,
young farmhand comes and asks for a job, and soon the farmer has a real friend. Paper,
BTH-2634. $4.46-D. To enlarge image,
just click on it.
 THE THINGUMAJIG BOOK OF MANNERS,
by I. Keller. People either love this picture book for preschoolers and primaries or hate
it. Thingumajigs are slovenly in looks, dress, habits and manners. They are horrible
examples. It is the small boy and girl at the bottom of each page who instruct young
readers in the contrasting right manners for each occasion. HC, BTH-331. $9.99. Click
on image to enlarge it enough to see all the gruesome details.
 Truman's
Aunt Farm by Jama Kim Rattigan. Illustrated by G. Brian Karas.
Houghton Mifflin, 1994. Truman is all excited when his Aunt Fran sends him a
coupon to send away for an ant farm, as a birthday gift. He imagined watching
the ants at their work. Imagine his surprise when, instead of ants, he has
streams of aunts knocking at his door and there were long lines more past the
door. What was Truman going to do with so many aunts? Featured in the Five in a Row Unit
Study Curriculum. BTH-2631. $5.39-D
 WHAT YOU KNOW FIRST, by Patricia
MacLachlan. The author of SARAH, PLAIN AND TALL teams with illustrator Barry Moser to
create a remarkable picture book full of wisdom about what's important: family, history, a
sense of place and self. The story is complemented by stunning engravings, printed over an
array of carefully chosen colors representing the shades of the prairie. Hardcover,
12.95-D.
 WHEN
I WAS YOUNG IN THE MOUNTAINS by Cynthia Ryland. Illustrated by Diane
Goode. A Penguin Picture Puffin Book,1982. Unpaginated. The author reminisces
about childhood days spent with her grandparents in the mountains and the things
they all did together that were different back then and the author's contentment
just in being there. A Caldecott Honor Book. A Reading Rainbow Book. Featured in
the Five in a Row Unit
Study Curriculum. BTH-1972. $6.29-D
THE YOUNG ARTIST, by Thomas Locker.
Adrian, a talented young man apprenticed to an artist, hates doing portraits for people
because he has been taught to paint the truth, and people don't want the truth in a
portrait -- they want to look better than they are. Imagine his horror when commanded to
come to the king's palace to paint a large portrait that included all 27 members of the
court! He is saved from the wrath of the vain nobles by the beautiful pictures he has
painted of his one friend at court -- the king's beloved daughter. Locker's paintings that
illustrate this book are an art gallery in themselves. For children 4-8, paper, 5.99. Out
of stock and out of print.
Top
MULTICULTURAL PICTURE
BOOKS
 MRS. KATZ AND TUSH, written
and illustrated in color by Patricia Polacco: Larner, an African-American boy, asks his
neighbor, an elderly Jewish widow, to adopt an abandoned kitten (Tush). Mrs Katz agrees to
do it only if Larner will agree to help care for Tush. As the two spend time together, Mrs
Katz tells Larner stories about coming to America from Poland. As the warm relationship
between the two grows, Larner learns that both the black and Jewish heritage share a
history of suffering and triumph. For ages 4-8. This is one of the many
excellent picture books featured in the Five in A Row Unit Study
Curriculum. BTH-1238. $6.29-D
COUNT YOUR WAY THROUGH SERIES,
by J. Haskins. Each book in this series for primary children counts to ten in a different
country's language and relates the number to something significant in the culture.
Example: "Troika (TROY-kuh) is a Russian word meaning a group of three. A Russian
sleigh drawn by three horses is called a troika." The illustrations further explain
the text and give the reader the flavor of the country's atmosphere. These books are great
for introducing a country about to be studied or for comparing various foreign languages.
At 5.35-D each, these paperback books are available about Africa, Canada, China, Germany,
India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Russia, France, Ireland, Brazil, and Greece.
Titles are COUNT YOUR WAY THROUGH JAPAN, etc. Some of these are no longer available.
THE COW WHO FELL IN THE CANAL,
written by Krasilovsky and illustrated by Peter Spier. Hendrika the cow was bored living
on Mr. Hofstra's farm in Holland, eating grass and giving milk. She wanted to see the city
Pieter the horse had told her about. One day she fell in the canal and got her wish. Peter
Spier's detailed illustrations will allow you to see with Hendrika sights on the shore
along the canal as she floats by, and you'll pick up the flavor of Holland. Paper. Out of
Print. Unavailable.
 GALIMOTO, written by Karen Williams and
illustrated by Catherine Stock. Set in an African village, this story focuses on the
ingenuity and persistence of a young boy who is determined to build a galimoto -- a toy
vehicle made of wires. Though his brother laughs at him, Kondi spends all day gathering
needed materials, and by nightfall his galimoto is the talk of the village children who
all want to play with it. 4.45-D, paper.
 GRANDFATHER'S JOURNEY written and illustrated by
Alan Say. Grandfather was a Japanese immigrant who's always homesick for Japan when in
America, and homesick for America when in Japan. Alan Say's pictures are worth the price
of this beautiful hardcover book. Ages 4-8, 15.26-D. This book is also featured in the Five in A Row Curriculum.
 THE GREAT MIGRATION: AN AMERICAN
STORY. Jacob Lawrence tells the story of African Americans who left their
homes in the South around W.W.I and traveled in search of better lives in the northern
industrial cities. Illustrated with full color paintings by the author. For children in
grades 4-6. $7.95-D, paper.
 HOW A SHIRT GREW IN THE FIELD,
by K. Ushinsky. One day in the spring, Vasya asked his father why he was throwing seeds in
the field. "'I am sowing flax seeds , so that shirts will grow for you and baby
Anya,' said his father." Vasya couldn't imagine how a shirt could grow in the field,
but he waited and watched every day as the seasons came and went, as the flax was
harvested and processed. And, yes, one day he did have a shirt. This simple, poetic story
of life in the Ukranian countryside was originally published over 100 years ago, when
linen cloth was still made by hand. Hardcover. Ages 4-8. OOP. But I have just a few
available for $30.00*
 HOW MY PARENTS LEARNED TO EAT,
by Ina Friedman, illustrated by Allen Say. A sailor stationed in Japan falls in love with
a Japanese school girl, but he's afraid to ask her out for dinner because he doesn't know
how to use chopsticks. She, on the other hand, is afraid of what will happen if she tries
to use a fork. So they continue to walk and talk and never eat together until the sailor
discovers his ship will leave soon and he has got to ask his girl to dinner so he can
propose. When she accepts his invitation, they both try in secret to learn the other's way
of eating before their dinner date. (And yes, it ends happily, and the author is their
child.)BTH-2306 $5.36-D. Ages 5-8.
 JUST PLAIN
FANCY by Patricia Polacco. Amish Naomi looks after her family's chickens with
the help of her little sister, Ruth. One day the girls find an abandoned egg in the tall
grass near the road. This egg seems almost fancy. Naomi takes it home to hatch, and when
it does, it's no ordinary chick. As it grows and becomes more beautiful (for it's a
peacock) Naomi is afraid it (and she) will be shunned for being too fancy. Then when all
the elders were present for a frolic, the peacock spreads its tail and Naomi is sure her
fears will be realized. When she expresses them, she is reassured that God made the
peacock fancy, and it was O.K. 6.29-D, paper.
 A Pair
of Red Clogs by Masako Matsuno. As a grandmother is
packing a brand new pair of red clogs to send to her granddaughter, she
reminisces about the beautiful pair of red clogs her mother had bought her when
she was about her granddaughter's age. She remembers how wonderful she
felt when they were brand new and all her friends admired them. And how unhappy
she was when they cracked while she played the weather telling game with her
friends. She remembers how she tried to trick her mother into buying a new pair
by getting her red clogs all muddy, thinking her mother would not want to see
her all dirty and would get her a new pair. She remembers washing the mud off as
per her mother's directions and how guilty she felt because she'd tried to trick
her mother. And she knew she'd never try to do that again. And then she wonders
if her granddaughter will crack her new clogs or get them muddy, and decides she
probably will. BTH-1265. $15.26-D.
Featured in the Five in a Row Unit
Study Curriculum.
THE SABBATH LION. This Jewish folktale by Howard Schwartz and Barbara
Rush is beautifully illustrated by Stephen Fieser. Young Yosef must make a long journey to
claim an inheritance for his family. His mother arranges for him to travel with a caravan
-- on the condition that the caravan leader stop for the Sabbath. But once out in the
desert, the cruel-hearted leader breaks his promise. Yosef fears that he will die if he
leaves the caravan, but his devotion prevents him from going on with the group So he stays
alone and prays. And then something wonderful happens.... 10.00, paper.OP
 SWEET CLARA AND THE FREEDOM QUILT.
Clara, a slave and seamstress on Home Plantation, knows that the Underground Railroad can
lead her to freedom. The only problem is, How to find it? By piecing together scraps of
cloth with scraps of information gathered from the other slaves, she fashions a map so
secret that even the master won't suspect. Paper, BTH-2627. $6.29-D.
TALL BOY'S JOURNEY, by J. Kraus. A
Korean-born boy is adopted by a family in the United States, and everyone must learn to
adjust. For primary age children. paper, 5.36-D
 THEY WERE STRONG
AND GOOD by Robert Lawson. A Caldecott Award book. Hardcover. The author
introduces us to his forefathers, and we follow their journey through American history.
With them we brave the Caribbean storms, travel to the wharf markets of New York, and
fight in the Civil War. In addition to being one family's story, though, it is a social
history of the United States. It reminds Americans to be proud of their ancestors who were
not great or famous, but were strong and good. Cat.#Pen-9497. $15.29-D.
Featured in the Five in a Row Unit
Study Curriculum.
Top
PICTURE BOOKS FEATURING HOLIDAYS
AND SPECIAL EVENTS
CHRISTMAS TREE MEMORIES, written
and illustrated by Aliki. On Christmas Eve, a family of four gathers around their tree to
admire its beauty and reminisce about how and when each special ornament was made. Paper,
5.36-D
 THE COUNTRY BUNNY AND THE
LITTLE GOLD SHOES, written and illustrated by Marjorie Flack. I grew up on
this old Easter tale of the good, kind, efficient mother rabbit, with well-trained
children, who aspires to being an Easter bunny. Paper, 5.36-D.
 CRANBERRY
THANKSGIVING by Wende and Harry Devlin. Grandmother is very proud of her
special Cranberry Bread, and hides the recipe as a legacy for her granddaughter,
Maggie. She's turned down numerous offers to buy it, but always refuses to give
up her secret, since it's all she has to leave to Maggie.
When Thanksgiving Day comes,
Maggie and her grandmother each get to invite one guest -- someone who is alone
is preferred -- to share the holiday feast. So Maggie invites her friend, Mr.
Whiskers, an old and rather uncouth man whom Grandmother doesn't like and is
afraid will steal her recipe. Grandmother, on the other hand, invites Mr.
Horace, who is staying at the Grand Hotel and smells of lavender, and has a gold
cane. Grandmother is quite impressed.
Everyone enjoys the wonderful
meal. But afterwards, while Grandmother is clearing away the dishes, Maggie sees
someone stealing the well-hidden recipe. And Grandmother learns that appearances
can be deceiving. BTH-1261. Our of stock. Out of print. Featured in the Five in a Row Unit
Study Curriculum.
 DECEMBER
by Eve Bunting. Illustrated by David Diaz. Simon lives with his mother in a
house they made themselves (probably out of old boxes.) It is Christmas Eve, and
they have tried to make their small home festive. But they don't light their
candle, for fear they might start a fire. Simon tells how they sleep: "I lie
beside Mom under the heavy coat she says once belonged to my dad. The
streetlight shimmers on our Christmas angel. She is a page torn from a calendar
that we've pinned to the wall. Her name is December."
Just as they are settled for the night, there is
a thumping at the door. An old woman is there, and wants to come in from the
cold and sleep under their roof. They offer her the coat to wrap up in. And
though it is very hard for him to sacrifice the cookie he has collected soda
cans to buy, he offers it to the hungry woman, who gratefully eats it. "It's
warm in here, " the old woman says. She smiles. "It's warm with love." Simon
falls asleep. In the morning, the woman has disappeared. But when he goes to
close the still-open door, he sees the angel, December, who "takes a step
backward, folding her wings like a great shining moth.... It's foggy outside. I
look up and there is our angel, her wings fanned to cover our cardboard house,
and she's singing, so softly I can hardly hear her."
Simon is not sure what is really happening, or if
he's been dreaming. But everything in their lives seemed to change after that.
And Simon tells of a later Christmas Eve, when his mother has had a job since
summer and they have moved into a real apartment in the projects. They have a
small Christmas tree, but on its branches still hang what they had hung on that
other Christmas Eve -- a toy soldier, a slivery spoon, the beads Simon once
found on the sidewalk, and the crumpled rose the old woman had removed from her
hat and hung on a branch herself on that past Christmas Eve. December still
hangs on their wall, and Simon says "if you look ral closely you can see she has
a faded rose in her hair. "
BTH-2199. $6.30-D
 THE FOURTH OF JULY STORY. Alice
Dalgliesh takes readers back to revolutionary times, to the colonists' desire for freedom
and the creation of the Declaration of Independence. The simple text captures the
excitement of the era, telling how the news of Independence traveled up and down the
thirteen colonies, touching everyone in the land. Paper, 5.36-D-D. For children 4-8.
 GRANDFATHER'S
CHRISTMAS TREE by Keith Strand. Illustrated by Thomas Locker. It is
rare to find a story that is rich enough to match Locker's artwork. This one is.
Told in the first person, it explains the origin of a family Christmas custom
that the author wondered about -- why his grandfather always placed a small
wooden nest cradling two carved geese and five goslings in the low branches of a
blue spruce tree every Christmas Eve. When he was eight years old he finally
asked his grandfather to explain why he did it, and the story is the
explanation. It is set in Colorado in 1886, where his great grandparents had
come from Illinois to settle and begin a live on the western frontier. Though
they are optimistic as they face their new life, they shared a frightening bit
of isolation during the terrible blizzard of winter, 1886, when they were snowed
in.
Right before Christmas, and the arrival of their first child, they exhausted
their stored wood supply, and the ferocity of the blizzard made it impossible to
go cut more wood from the surrounding hills. It appeared they would have to cut
their treasured blue spruce trees in order to survive. And it was as great
grandfather was chopping at one of the remaining trees that he discovered a pair
of geese, one of which had an injured wing, huddled in the snow under the low
boughs of the tallest blue spruce. Later that night, Grandfather was born.
The weather remained bad and Christmas Eve arrived with bitter cold. Great
Grandfather was faced with having to cut down that last remaining tree, but his
wife begged him to wait, and he agreed to leave the tree alone until after
Christmas Day. I'll leave the rest of the story for you to discover on your own,
just as you must enjoy Thomas Locker's wonderful paintings on your own. You
might be tempted to frame them. You might want to read this during the Christmas
season. Although it's not a religious story, it is a story of faith and family,
and a special "miracle,' and would be a welcome contrast to much of the 'twaddle"that
abounds during the Christmas season.
HB-63743. $5.40-D
 HOW MANY DAYS TO
AMERICA: A THANKSGIVING STORY by Eve Bunting. Trade paper. Refugees
from a Caribbean Island embark on a dangerous boat trip to America and arrive on
Thanksgiving Day. They learn from the Americans who greet them that they are not the only
unhappy people who came to America to start new lives. Others came before them, and they
celebrated by giving thanks. Now a bargain book. Was 5.95, now just 3.93-B
 Night
Tree by Eve Bunting. Harcourt Brace &
Company, 1991. It's Christmas Eve, and we watch as a family bundles up and makes
a short trip to a nearby forest laden with all sorts of homemade edible
decorations for "their" tree in the forest. They decorate it by stringing
popcorn and attaching apples, oranges, and balls of sunflower seeds, honey and
pressed millet they have made. Then they scatter shelled nuts, breadcrumbs, and
apple pieces under the tree for the forest creatures that don't climb very well
and can't reach very high. When the tree is decorated, the family sits around it
with admiration while they sing carols together in the moonlight. Then they
return home, glad that they have prepared a Christmas feast for their little
friends the forest creatures. Illustrated by Ted Rand. Large format. BTH-2200.
$5.40-D
RECHENKA'S EGGS,
by Patricia Polacco. Babushka is preparing her eggs for the Easter festival when she takes
in Rechenka, an injured goose who shows her that miracles really can happen. 5.36-D in
paper.
 THE THANKSGIVING STORY by Alice
Dalgliesh. Illustrated by Helen Sewell. Trade paper. This tells the story of one family
during their first year in the Plymouth Colony, and ends with the first Thanksgiving
feast, with 90 Indians as guests. 5.39-D
Top
BOOKS THAT EXPLORE SCIENCE
AND NATURE
  
If you like foxes, Eve Bunting's RED FOX RUNNING qualifies
as a family treasure to pass from generation to generation. Wendall Minor's spectacular
paintings of the fox hunting food for her family dramatize Bunting's poetic narrative. An
excerpt: "Red fox, hungry fox, Listening to hear The scrabble scrabble scrabble Of a
white-tailed deer, The rustle of the cranes As they lift into the sky. The sad, lonely
echo Of a last loon's cry." (This is, of course, copyrighted material, Clarion,
1993.) We have a couple of hardcover editions with slightly torn jackets on sale for
13.95, and the paperback edition is 5.36-D.
Another beautifully illustrated book on foxes written by Tessa Potter and illustrated by
Ken Lilly, is FANG: THE STORY OF A
FOX IN WINTER. It portrays a young fox searching for food who is challenged
by an fierce and strong old fox. The bold, colorful pictures vividly portray the wintry
world of the fox. The story is preceded by a two-page labeled drawing of the fox's
territory. After the story are two pages containing close-up pictures of various animals
and plants that appeared in story illustrations, described briefly, with instructions to
look back in the story and find them. These are followed by two pages of activities
related to identifying and feeding birds during the winter. There is a bibliography at the
end to help young readers research foxes more. This book is part of a series. Each book
illustrates the wildlife details of a different season for children 4-8. Other books in
the series are SARN: THE STORY OF AN OTTER IN SPRING; GRAYFUR: THE STORY OF A
RABBIT IN SUMMER; and DIGGER: THE STORY OF A MOLE IN THE FALL.
Each paperback book is 5.36-D.
COME OUT MUSKRATS, written and
illustrated by Jim Arnosky. As the sun begins to set, the muskrats begin their day.
Arnosky's sketches let us watch as they feed, swim, and play on into the night. Words are
large and few for easy reading. Great for preschoolers and beginning readers. 4.95, paper.
OP
EVERY AUTUMN COMES THE BEAR.
Jim Arnosky sketches the forest in autumn, focusing his attention on the habits of the
bear until he finally goes into hibernation. Very few words. Very large print. A perfect
book to introduce bears to your preschool child. Paper, 5.36-D.
FAMILIES OF THE DEEP BLUE SEA, written by Kenneth Mallory and illustrated
by Marshall Peck III. This lavishly illustrated book uses second person narrative and
close-up paintings to impart fascinating facts about the family lives of 14 undersea
creatures to children 3-8. 6.26-D, paper.
CAN WE BE FRIENDS? written by Alexandra
Wright and illustrated by Marshall Peck III. Though this book on nature's partners is
intended for those 3-8, the fascinating facts about and illustrations of unlikely members
of the animal kingdom who help each other out will interest almost anyone of any age. A
good explanation of symbiosis, and a good example of how God designed all of creation to
work together, though this isn't pointed out in the book. 6.26-D, paper.
CREEPY CREATURES. Written by Sneed Collard III and illustrated by Kristen
Kest.. This is just the book for people of all ages who love the "gross"
creatures, the ones that look a little like monsters. Guilty of only looking scary, these
22 often misunderstood animals are perfectly suited for their habitats. This is a very
popular book at book fairs where children select their own books. 6.26-D, paper.
FROGS. Illustrates and explains the life-cycle and habits of frogs as
only Gail Gibbons, with her bold, simple, bright pictures, can
do it. 6.26-D, paper. For preschoolers and early primary ages.
HOW TO DIG A HOLE TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WORLD, written by Faith
McNulty and illustrated by Marc Simont. Hasn't every child wondered what he would find if
he just dug deep enough? Can you really dig your way to China? This book about a boy's
imaginary 8,000 mile journey through the earth to discover what's inside will painlessly
teach facts about the earth's composition. For ages 3-8, paper, $6.29-D.
 HOW
TO HIDE A BUTTERFLY. One of series written and illustrated by Ruth Heller to show
the various ways living creatures camouflage themselves. This one deals with insects Other
books in the series include HOW TO HIDE A CROCODILE AND OTHER REPTILES; HOW TO
HIDE A POLAR BEAR AND OTHER MAMMALS; HOW TO HIDE A MEADOW FROG AND OTHER AMPHIBIANS; HOW
TO HIDE A PARAKEET AND OTHER BIRDS and HOW TO HIDE AN OCTOPUS AND OTHER
SEA CREATURES. These are some of my most popular books, and they are only 2.95
each in paper. Some of these are now out of print. Please check stock before ordering.
For a more detailed page, see
Ruth Heller books.
Jerry Pallotta's NATURE ALPHABET SERIES.
These beautifully illustrated nature books enhance nature study while introducing many new
vocabulary words. Younger children will enjoy hearing you read the big words, and you and
the older children will learn a few new things yourselves. The author also manages to
inject a bit of humor into what could be a dry subject. These are no ordinary alphabet
books, and should not be limited to very young children. Titles available include THE
FRESHWATER ALPHABET BOOK; THE BIRD ALPHABET BOOK; THE VEGETABLE ALPHABET BOOK; THE
UNDERWATER ALPHABET BOOK; THE FURRY ANIMAL ALPHABET BOOK; THE BUTTERFLY ALPHABET BOOK; THE
DESERT ALPHABET BOOK; THE DINOSAUR ALPHABET BOOK; THE YUCKY REPTILE ALPHABET BOOK; THE
ICKY BUG ALPHABET BOOK; THE FROG ALPHABET BOOK; THE SPICE ALPHABET BOOK; THE FLOWER
ALPHABET BOOK; and THE OCEAN ALPHABET BOOK. These are 6.36-D
each in paper, or 15.95 each in hardcover.
HURRICANE. Author and illustrator David Wisener helps us understand a
little of how a family feels as it prepares for and watches the progress of a passing
hurricane. Your primary child will share the apprehension and excitement as the lights go
out. Paper, 5.36-D.
 OWL MOON by Jane Yolen. Illustrated by John
Schoenherr. Late one winter night a little girl and her father go into the silent, snowy
world to look for owls together. Hardcover. Cat.#BTH-1111. $15.29-D. Featured in
the Five in a Row Unit
Study Curriculum.
THE REASON FOR THE SEASONS. Gail Gibbons' bold, brightly colored pictures illustrate her
easy-to-understand explanation for why we have seasons. 6.26-D, paper.
SHARKS Take a deep dive into shark-infested waters with Seymour Simon.
His spine-tingling photographs and a text that explores what makes these remarkable and
often misunderstood creatures so fascinating will delight a true shark lover in grades
K-4. 6.26-D, paper.
SNAKES. Seymour Simon's stunning photographs will fascinate both snake
lovers and haters and his text will let readers in grades K-4 learn all the most important
things they want to know about these awesome reptiles. Paper, 6.26-D
 Storm in the Night by Mary
Stolz. Illustrated by Pat Cummings. Thomas, an African American boy, is home
alone with his grandfather and his cat, Ringo, when a violent thunderstorm
erupts. They both listen to the sounds of the storm in the dark. Grandfather
tells the story of how frightened he was of such a storm when he was a boy what
what cured him.
BTH-1271. $6.29-D. Featured in the Five in a Row Unit
Study Curriculum.
STORMS In a clear concise text and spectacular full-color photographs,
noted science writer Seymour Simon examines thunderstorms, tornadoes, and hurricanes,
explaining how they form and why they die out. Paper, 5.36-D.
WONDERFUL WORMS, by Linda Glaser. All a young child might want to know
about how earthworms live and what they do for us, beautifully illustrated in full color.
In the back of the book is a special section for parents that answers common questions
children ask about these creatures. Paper, $8.06-D.
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POETRY AND VERSE IN PICTURE
BOOK FORMAT
 CASEY AT THE BAT,
written by Ernest Thayer. Patricia Polacco's vivid illustrations of the "cool"
young Casey at bat add even more humor to this much loved baseball poem. Paper, 5.36-D. To
see more details, click on image to enlarge it.
THE DAY THE GOOSE GOT LOOSE. Steven Kellogg and Reeve Lindbergh
team up for a delightful bit of nonsense as they imagine the riot an escaping
goose could cause on a farm and in the town. Lindbergh sets the stage with his
rhymes, and Kellogg embellishes the words and takes them to humorous extremes in
his very detailed, action-packed pictures. Paper, $6.29-D
 HOME:
A JOURNEY THROUGH AMERICA by Thomas
Locker. This picture book is a splendid mix of art and literature . The
magnificent paintings are by Thomas Locker, as is one of the poems, but the
other poetry and prose selections are by writers as varied as Robert Frost, Carl
Sandburg, John Muir, Pat Mora, Willa Cather, Jane Yolen, Abraham Lincoln, Merle
Good, and more. Each literary selection is enhanced by one of Locker's landscape
paintings illustrating a scene from the author's home territory. From San
Francisco to Walden Pond, we are treated to a small tour of America as seen
through Locker's eyes. We see the Pacific Ocean, Yosemite Falls, the southwest
desert, the Midwestern prairie, Chicago (in the fog, of course), the Connecticut
River in Massachusetts, Comanche country in Texas, a tree-lined street in North
Carolina, Spencer County, Illinois, Amish country near Lancaster, Pennsylvania,
the Hudson Valley of New York, and Walden Pond. At the end of the book is a map
of the United States showing the locations pictured and written about as each
author described his or her hometown. Next to the map is a list of the authors
with their year and place of birth. ISBN: 0152024522. Unpaginated. $5.40-D
 JOHNNY APPLESEED Reeve
Lindbergh's poem about Johnny Appleseed, beautifully illustrated in a folk art style by
Kathy Jakobsen, is sure to become a favorite read-aloud for parents and children alike. It
is a feast for the eyes and ears, and allows us to see the spiritual dimension of John
Chapman's life. It deserves a place in every family or elementary school library. For ages
3-8, paper, 5.36-D.
 Paul
Revere's Ride by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Illustrated by Ted
Rand. This is the version of this famous poem that is used with the Five in a
Row curriculum. In the front is a map that shows Paul Revere's route
on that ride on April 18-19, 1775, which he made to warn the Minutemen of
Concord that the British were coming, so that they would be prepared to meet
them. BTH-1264. $3.93-B. Featured in the Five in a Row Unit
Study Curriculum.
 Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening
by Robert Frost. Illustrated by Susan Jeffers. Hardcover with dustjacket. Susan
Jeffers' beautiful paintings, which illustrate every line of the famous poem,
make us understand why the poet had to stop and look and why he wished he could
have stayed longer. The illustrations are in color, in spite of what the cover
might lead you to believe. BTH-1270. $14.39-D.
Featured in the Five in a Row Unit
Study Curriculum.
 YANKEE DOODLE. The "Yanks'" favorite song
illustrated with the kind of intricately detailed color pictures you would expect of
Steven Kellogg. The lyrics of the song are included with an afterward explaining the
patriotic tune's historical background. Paper, $6,29-D. Out of Print
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Five in a Row Curriculum / Easy to Read
Books
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